INTERIOR MINISTRY DIRECTIVE ON MEASURES AGAINST POTENTIAL REFUGEES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80T00246A054100280001-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 25, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: May 16, 1960
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/10/25: CIA-RDP80T00246A054100280001-0
INFORMATION REPORT I N FORMATION REPORT
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
This material contains information affecting the National Defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title
18, U.S.C. Secs. 793 and 794, the transmission or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law.
COUNTRY East Germany
SUBJECT Interior Ministry Directive on
Measures against Potential Refugees
DATE OF
INFO.
PLACE &
DATE ACQ
1. In a directive classified "confidential and dated 12 April 1960, the 50X1-HUM
East German Minister of the Interior instructs his subordinates on how
to deal with "Berlin travelers" in order to stop those who might want
to flee to the West. Stricter measures axe necessary, the directive
claims, because of Western blandishments diW?ect~d in particular toward
farmers and industrial wcrkers.
2. Among the features included in the directive are the following:
a. The special importance of the subject is to be explained to all members
of the armed forces under the jurisdieti.ort, of the ln.te--rior. Ministry.
b. Immediate steps must, be taken to effect co-operation on the district
(Kreis and Bezirk) level between organs of the People's Police and the
Socialist Unity Party, in order to formulate mass appeals against
travel to West Berlin - although the People's Police should remain in,
the background. Constant visitcr.s to West Berlin are to be reported
to the Ministry for State Security; District (Kreis) People's Police
Offices will co-operate by identifying suspects with the aid of available
files, and bx routing their names through the traffic police to customs officers.
Provisions are to be made in particular to check farmers' organizations,
and East German citizens spending nights in the border areas; the permit
system (Erlaubniswesen) as well as increased control and surveillance of.
individuals, trains, railroad stations, and other important points are to
serve as means to this end.
STATE ARMY
NAVY AIR NSA FBI
Li
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DATE DISTR. *$
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c. Once the intention of a West Berlin visit is definitely established, the
People's Police must seek reasons for a possible arrest of such travelers.
If they are found to be mere visitors, their identification papers are to
be replaced with two-week passes not valid for West Berlin. If there is
reason to suspect that they want to escape from East Germany, or if they
happen to be found guilty of other misdeeds, they are to be prosecuted
under applicable laws. If major offenses are discovered, including es-
pecially distribution of propaganda material, this must be reported to
the Ministry for State Security.
d. The need for co-operation between the armed forces of the Ministry of the
Interior, the customs authorities and the Ministry for State Security
is stressed in particular for the Berlin, Potsdam, and Frankfurt/Oder
districts.
S-E-C-R-E-T
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